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How to Get Along With Your Contractor

By U.S. News & World Report

When people hire a contractor, they don’t necessarily look at it as embarking on a relationship. But it certainly is.

You may see your contractor more than you do your wife or husband during the remodeling process. You’ll discuss money, schedules, competence, cleanliness and other sensitive issues, as well as more mundane topics such as subway tile vs. glass tile for a kitchen backsplash.

“These people are going to be in your home every day for four or five weeks,” says Toni Anderson, publisher of The Happy Housewife and the veteran of several major home renovation projects. That makes it essential that you get to know these professionals well, preferably before you hire them.

Contractors, interior designers and homeowners who have lived through remodeling projects list two essentials for having a great relationship with your contractor: finding the right contractor and having a detailed, specific written contract.

[Read: How to Make Hiring a Home Contractor Less Like Gambling.]

“If you get good recommendations and referrals and you find somebody who’s going to stand behind their work, they’re going to fix anything that needs fixing,” says Hooper Patterson, an interior designer in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Reading online reviews is not a substitute for talking to references on the phone and seeing other jobs the contractor has done in person. Good contractors are glad to provide references and show you previous work. “Go look at one of the jobs that he’s done to make sure you’re both on the same page,” says H. Dale Contant, president of Atlanta Design & Build.

Once you’ve gotten bids from at least three contractors, you’re ready to draw up a contract with the one you’ve chosen. Most contractors provide contracts, but if you’re dealing with someone who doesn’t provide a detailed contract, write up your own or propose additions.

The contract should specify in detail what work is to be done, who will pay for what and what supplies will be used, down to model numbers of faucets and light fixtures if the contractor is supplying those. The contract should also include a timetable and a schedule of progress payments, plus a procedure to be followed if changes are needed.

[See: 6 Home Renovations You Think Will Pay Off — But Won’t.]

“Everyone should know exactly what they will receive,” Contant says.

Here are eight tips for getting along with your contractor:

Have a detailed contract. Nothing averts more problems in a remodeling job than having a detailed and specific contract. You want no misunderstanding over who pays for what, what happens if the job turns out to be more complicated than it appears, what materials are to be used and who cleans up at the end of the day. Spending time on contract details saves time and aggravation later.

Agree on work rules. This is particularly important if you’re living in the house during the renovation. You also want to leave clear directives if you’ll be at work while the contractors are at your home. What time will work start and what time will it end? Will workers be there on Saturdays? Can they leave their tools overnight and, if so, where? Make sure you specify what level of cleanliness you expect at the end of each work day.

Have a plan for changes. It’s a rare renovation that is done exactly as spelled out in the contract. Sometimes homeowners change their minds, and other times issues are uncovered when walls are opened. Either way, changes should require a conversation and, often, a renegotiation of cost. This should all be done in writing to avoid misunderstandings, and you and the contractor should reach agreement on the cost before the changes are made.

Keep changes to a minimum. Don’t start the project until you are sure what you want done. If you change your mind about the paint color before the paint has been bought, it’s not a disruption. But if you change your mind about the size of the refrigerator after the cabinets have been ordered, that could cause significant delays and extra charges. “One thing you can do is not change your mind a lot throughout the process,” Anderson says. “None of us likes to have stuff changed for us. Neither does your contractor.”

Make timely selections and decisions. Many steps in a renovation depend on other steps. Ask ahead of time what needs to be chosen and by when. Be aware that the products you want may not be in stock, and allow time for them to be ordered. “If they take a month to pick the paint, that’s not a good situation,” Contant says. “Make sure that the selections you want are readily available.”

Establish which homeowner is in charge. If a couple is contracting for a renovation, designate one of you as the point of contact for the contractor, issuing all directives, signing off on changes, making payments and answering questions. “Sometimes we find out that couples don’t talk to each other,” Contant says.

[Read: How to Find a Reliable Helping Hand for Home Improvement Tasks.]

Agree on how you’ll communicate. You and your contractor will need to reach each other, possibly often. Decide together whether you’ll use email, telephone, text or another method to communicate.

Expect your life to be upended. Having walls torn down, sinks removed and hammers, saws and sanders in your home for four to five weeks isn’t going to be easy. No matter how careful your contractor is, you’re likely to encounter clouds of dust, and you won’t be able to use parts of your home. Plus, people will be there with you most of the day for weeks. “You need to be prepared for those dusty times,” Contant says. “Anticipate there’s going to be disruption.”

More from U.S. News

11 Ways Homeowners Can Fund Major Home Improvements

How to Find a Reliable Helping Hand for Home Improvement Tasks

How to Make Hiring a Home Contractor Less Like Gambling

How to Get Along With Your Contractor originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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